Acts 16:1-15

16:1-2 | Timothy means “Dear to God.” In fact, Timothy is the only one in the NT called a “man of God” (1 Tim. 6:11). It may be that Timothy and his mother were converted when Paul came through the region on his first missionary journey. Timothy would become a spiritual son to Paul (1 Tim. 1:2, 18; 2 Tim. 1:2; 2:1).

16:3 | It may seem strange that Paul would have Timothy circumcised, given his forceful defense against the Judaizers in the previous chapter. The circumcision did nothing to commend Timoty to God, but it did open a door to preach Jesus Christ.

16:5 | All living things, if they are healthy, should experience growth, those barriers should diligently be overcome. Growth is at the heart of Christ’s Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).

16:9-10 | Paul was sensitive enough to the Spirit of God that he could tell the difference between no and yes when it came to discerning God’s will – and he was obedient enough to respond to both. This time, God directed Paul to leave Asia Minor and go into Europe.

16:12 | Philippi was a Roman colony, taking its name in 356 BC from Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. Philippi was a favored city of Rome, and its citizens were exempt from provincial Roman taxes. Since Paul seemed to prefer to establish ministry beachheads (strategic locations) in key regional cities, it should be no surprise that he picked Philippi (Phil. 1:1).

16:13-14 | Lydia was a Jewish proselyte or “God-fearer” like Cornelius and a seller of dyed cloth. Purple was the color of royalty and nobility, so this Gentile was probably a very successful businesswoman. She also had a home large enough to host Paul and his team.

16:14 | No human – not even one who so faithfully preaches the Word of God as Paul did – has ever had the ability to open anyone’s heart except Jesus (Luke 24:45). God’s servants can sow the Word, but ultimately the Holy Spirit is responsible to accomplish the harvest.